california vulture

1 definition found

california vulture - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  California condor \Cal`i*for"ni*a con"dor\ (Zool.)
     a large vulture (Gymnogyps californianus), also called
     California vulture.
  
     Note: In the late 20th century it is classed as an endangered
           species. The California condor used to number in the
           thousands and ranged along the entire west coast of the
           United States. By 1982 only 21 to 24 individuals could
           be identified in the wild. A breeding program was
           instituted, and by 1996 over 50 birds were alive in
           captivity. As of 1997, fewer than ten of the bred birds
           had been reintroduced into the wild.
           [PJC]